A pediatric virtual care company that commissioned an independent study revealed that 92% of pediatricians and clinicians believe telemedicine will continue to be part of healthcare practices in the future as well. As per the response to an online survey all the 787 pediatricians and clinicians currently using a telemedicine platform, 96% offer telemedicine during regular business hours.
Policy changes facilitating access to virtual care should remain permanent
Telehealth regulations have been relaxed in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, triggering interest and support for virtual care owing to its benefits like convenience and safety.
Another less spoken advantage of telemedicine is the availability of specialists for patients especially suffering from chronic diseases like cancer.
New bill aims to improve Medicaid, CHIP telehealth coverage for children
The Telehealth Improvement for Kids’ Essential Services, or TIKES, Act of 2020 requires the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to issue guidance to states about ways to increase access to telehealth solutions under Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program.
CMS proposes vital changes to Remote Patient Monitoring coverage
The federal government has clarified the way it regulates remote patient monitoring and the changes could significantly impact and potentially restrict the usage of telehealth and mHealth by care providers while they take care of patients at home.
CMS plans expanded coverage for innovative telemedicine devices
Federal officials plan to propose an expansion of Medicare coverage for new telemedicine and mHealth technologies that are classified as “breakthrough devices.” The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has issued a proposed rule aiming at cutting short the lengthy review process for cutting-edge devices.